Extensor tendons are thin tendons that sit just under the skin and are easily injured by a laceration or trauma across the back of the wrist, hand or finger. When the extensor tendon is injured, the fingers are unable to fully straighten.
Is this an emergency?
No, but open tendon injuries require prompt attention to return functionality to the tendon.
Closed tendon injuries can generally be treated with specialised splints and hand therapy.
Please contact 1300HANDOC immediately for advice and further instructions.
- Inability to fully straighten the finger or thumb
- The finger or thumb drooping downwards
- Pain and tenderness along the back of the hand, fingers or wrist
- Swelling
- Visible cuts or trauma on the back of the hand or fingers
- Lacerations
- Trauma
- Crush injuries
- Jamming a finger or thumb
- History and mechanism of injury
- Clinical Examination
- Xray (if required)
The kind of treatment depends on the type of injury. Treatment can range from continuous splinting and hand therapy for partial or closed injuries to tendon repair surgery for complete lacerations or complex open injuries where the tendon ends are separated.
Please contact 1300HANDOC to discuss the treatment recommendations based on the injury.
1300 426 362